Test stars named in Shield squads

Nine Test players available for red-ball return as Shield competition resumes on Thursday

Cricket Network
05 February 2018

Nine members of Australia's Test squad to tour South Africa will tune-up for the four-match series when the JLT Sheffield Shield resumes on Thursday.

Skipper Steve Smith (rested) and stand-in T20I captain David Warner will miss NSW's match in Perth, as will pace trio Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, while wicketkeeper Tim Paine has been rested for Tasmania's game in Brisbane.

The side will be captained by former Test wicketkeeper Peter Nevill, who pointed out the NSW squad has been back in red-ball mode longer than their WA-based opponents because of the Sydney clubs early exit in the BBL|07 season.

"With the BBL break there is no real momentum for any side, everyone starts fresh," Nevill told reporters in Sydney. "We get to take stock, reassess and hit thr ground running. We've had more red-ball preparation than our opponents, so in that sense we are the best prepared we can be.

"There's some exciting potential there (in the fast-bowling line-up), I'm very much looking forward to seeing what they can produce at this level."

With batsmen Glenn Maxwell and Aaron Finch on T20 duty, Eamonn Vines could make his debut while paceman Jackson Coleman is also a chance to play his first game at first-class level for the Vics.

Victoria, the defending champions, currently sit winless and last on the JLT Sheffield Shield table, but the state's chairman of selectors Andrew Lynch was confident of pushing up the table in the hunt for more silverware.

"We know it's going to be tough to work our way back up the table and fight for a spot in the final, however we also know what it takes to go all the way," Lynch said. "The players can't wait to get back to four-day cricket and push for another title."

The West End Redbacks, with most of their squad still celebrating the Adelaide Strikers Big Bash title, have delayed naming their squad, which will be confirmed on Wednesday.

The Bulls named their squad last week, with captain Usman Khawaja to play before he heads to South Africa.

Khawaja's brilliant maiden Ashes century

Khawaja could open the batting for Queensland alongside former Test opener Matthew Renshaw, with the in-form Joe Burns still sidelined with a groin injury picked up during the BBL.

Fast bowler Brendan Doggett is also under an injury cloud and will be assessed in lead-up to the match, while batsman Lachlan Pfeffer will make his debut. A left-handed top-order player, Pfeffer could open with Renshaw if Khawja opts to remain at No.3. Pfeffer has been in hot form in Queensland Premier Cricket with four centuries this season for Valleys, as well as a ton in a Toyota Futures League match.

The Tigers are without Test wicketkeeper Tim Paine who has been rested before the South African tour, and will also miss Jordan Silk after he broke his collarbone with the Sydney Sixers in the BBL.

"I'd love to be playing but I also realise the benefit I'd get from having 10 days at home and getting away from cricket a little bit," Paine said on Monday.

"I've had a big summer," the 33-year-old added. "I suppose getting back into international cricket ... it's probably taken the edge off me mentally."